KUALA LUMPUR, 10 January – Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd – a subsidiary of Prasarana Malaysia Berhad – today hosted Minister in Prime Minister’s Department, Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri for her first visit to the bus headquarters in Balakong, Selangor.The minister was greeted on arrival by Prasarana’s President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Sri Azmi Abdul Aziz; Rapid Bus CEO, Encik Zulkifli Mohd Yusoff and other members of the Group’s Senior Leadership Team.

At Rapid Bus Complex Cheras Selatan, Dato’ Sri Nancy was given a comprehensive briefing on Rapid Bus’ operations including the services of Rapid Penang, Rapid Kuantan, Rapid Kamunting and Rapid KL including the environmental-friendly Bus Rapid Transit – Sunway Line.  

After the briefing, the minister visited Rapid KL’s Bus Control Center, which is responsible for the movement 1,250 buses for 176 routes and the operations of eight Depots around the city and Selangor. She also visited the Bus Academy where the minister put to test her skills on a dynamic bus simulator. 

Speaking to reporters later, Dato’ Sri Nancy praised Prasarana and Rapid Bus for what she described as a ‘commendable performance’ in providing quality public transport service to the rakyat – Rapid KL for KLang Valley and Selangor, Rapid Penang for Penang and Butterworth, Rapid Kuantan for Kuantan, Pekan and its surrounding areas and Rapid Kamunting for Taiping and Kamunting.  

“Together, the four networks have a combined ridership of more than 480,000 a day. And, apart from these four service brands, Rapid Bus also operates the environmental-friendly Bus Rapid Transit – Sunway Line with its fleet of electric-powered buses and exclusively on an elevated track in Bandar Sunway.  

“This project is built under a Public Private Partnership programme – which we hope will be the future arrangement for many of our public transport infrastructure projects,” she said, adding that she was also impressed with the business approach undertaken by Rapid Bus. 

“Apart from the conventional stage bus operations, Rapid Bus has also ventured into other business models including the free shuttle model like Go KL and collaboration with external parties like with Sepang International Circuit for the Formula 1 and MotoGP events.  

“Despite its business-like approach, Rapid Bus has maintained its primary role to provide service; and is obligated to manage social routes and have consistent, regular services outside peak hours to ensure the people’s interest is put first,” she added.